When being neutral isn’t enough: How to be a safe therapist for sx workers

*This workshop is exclusively for therapists and others in the helping professions (coaches, bodyworkers, reiki practitioners, etc) who are interested and open to learning new perspectives. This is not a workshop for you if you have strong beliefs about the industry and no openness to new perspectives. This isn’t a space for debates.

In this 2-3 hour workshop, we will gather as a group and explore how to create a more sx work inclusive space for your current and future clients. This will be a safe space for you to ask questions, explore and unpack stigma, assumptions and concerns you may hold (consciously or unconsciously) that may have negative impacts on your clients (whether they’ve disclosed to you or not).

You will leave this workshop with a deepened understanding of how to create a safer space for your sx work clients to show up more authentically in your office and why being neutral isn’t enough for that to happen.

What you can expect:

• Participate in respectful group discussion with a person who has 15+ years of lived experience in the industry and as a client of therapists (who sometimes got it right).

• Learning about the importance of language that you use- In your notes, with your clients and out in the world.

• Learning why being neutral about sx work isn’t enough for your clients in the industry, what do you say and how do you feel when a client discloses for the first time?

• Exploring where you might hold unconscious bias or stigmatizing beliefs and the impacts to our clients.

• Learning why clients may not feel safe to disclose to their therapists and how that can negatively impact them (and your work together).

• Why automatically pathologizing people in sx work can be harmful.

• Sharing your thoughts, feelings and reflections in a safe space.

• Low sensory space, includes low lighting, scent free (including no essential oils) and no music.

• Light snacks and refreshments included (usually berries, chocolate or baked goodies (vegan/gf) and tea or sparkling water.

No experience necessary. Just bring an open mind, pen and paper for note taking and a mug for tea or water.

$100 per person, payable upon registration by e-transfer or credit card.

Limited number of sliding scale spots available for those with limited access to resources.

Preregistration only. Available to be booked in the Trout Lake neighbourhood or your own location (for an additional fee). Virtual option may be possible, please reach out to inquire.

To get on the waitlist or to book a private workshop for you and your colleagues, please fill out the form below.

Once received, I will send you the intake and consent forms to be filled out prior to the workshop.

Please note: For private workshops, there is a suggested minimum of 4 people (or $400, if less than 4 people).

Check out my instagram post here for more about the importance of how we show up

*A portion of proceeds from each workshop will be donated to a Canadian sx worker support organization such as Pace Society, Wish, Peers, SWAN, Butterfly, Maggies Toronto (to name just a few).